Quote Source – Jeff Hilles
A Biblical Christian worldview perspective – One can view Christianity from many perspectives and often see the same sad trend …
Denominations – Remember when “Main-Line Denominations” such as the Methodist or the Presbyterian (USA) were teaching theologically sound doctrine? Seminaries taught the Bible as the inerrant Word of God and graduated pastors ready and able to separate God’s commands from the social gospel. No one ever heard of Progressive Christianity, Unitarianism, the World Counsel of Churches, and other twisted attempts at merging all faiths into an amalgam of syncretistic impotence.
Churches – Remember when the word “church” meant something tangible? Going to church was a clear affirmation of one’s faith in the work of Christ on the cross. Churches were active, both in teaching God’s truth on Sunday mornings, but also Sunday nights and Wednesday nights. Small groups, special outreach projects and a close-knit fellowship was assumed. They were vibrant and well-attended with no need of theatrical performances in order to keep members entertained.
Christians – Remember the first few years after you gave your heart to Christ as Savior and Lord? Remember how excited you were to be part of a fellowship of believers, to pray, search the Scriptures for the answers to the questions of life, and worship … to serve and be served? False teachings like the LDS (Mormons) and the Jehovah’s Witnesses actually distanced themselves from our “Christian” beliefs, rather than today when they use our anemic faith and failing Bible knowledge as a lever to attract new converts.
Is this a life-cycle of denominations, churches, and Christians in general or is this just a temporary dip that will see a resurgence with all three groups in the coming years?
On the Positive Side
From a recent Religious News Service article – “Nearly half of US churchgoers now attend multiple church services, both online and in person,” according to a recent survey by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. The study found that 46 percent of respondents participate in multiple congregations thanks to remote church options. Younger adults are particularly likely to attend more than one church, with 63 percent of those aged 18 to 34 saying they visit multiple congregations. This figure drops to 34 percent among churchgoers over 65.
On the Negative Side
From a recent Christian News article – “The number of countries where Christians make up more than half the population has dropped,” according to a new report from the Pew Research Center. Between 2010 and 2020, four countries—including the UK, Australia, and France—lost their Christian-majority status, as more people in those nations now identify as having no religion. Christianity remained the largest religion in 120 out of 201 countries and territories as of 2020, but that’s down from 124 a decade earlier. The decline is linked primarily to people leaving the Christian faith and an increase in those identifying as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular.”
Which way are we headed? … which way are you headed? …
Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words
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